If ever a nail, screw, or other sharp object has pierced your vehicle's tire, you should know that it is a big inconvenience because taking it to a repair shop or replacing it is very expensive. Fortunately, if the tire is in good condition, you can probably patch it yourself.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Finding the Air Leak
Step 1. Inflate the tire
To find the leak, the tire must be properly pressurized. You should inflate the tire with air until it reaches the proper pressure (measured in pounds per square inch) that is specified in the vehicle's maintenance manual.
Step 2. Visually inspect the tire
Before using techniques that take longer, you should take a moment to check the tire. If you notice a hole, cut, or object sticking out of the rim, you've found the air leak.
Step 3. Pay attention if you hear a hissing sound
Even if you can't identify the problem immediately, you can probably hear it. A hissing sound is a clear sign that there is an air leak in the tire and can help you identify where it is coming from.
Step 4. Feel the contour of the tire to find the air leak
If you run your hands over the tire carefully, you can probably feel the leak even if you can't hear or see it.
Step 5. Mix soap and water
Don't worry if you follow the steps above, but you can't find the leak easily. You may find it helpful to spray the tire with a little soapy water or a window cleaner. If you see bubbles coming from anywhere on the tire surface, you have found the leak.
Step 6. Cover the tire with a soap and water solution
You can use a spray bottle to spray the tire with the solution. If you don't have one, just pour the mixture over the rim.
Step 7. Look for the presence of bubbles
Soap bubbles will form as air escapes from the tire and comes into contact with the soapy water mixture. If you notice that the soapy water forms bubbles in a specific place on the tire, you have found the leak.
Part 2 of 4: Remove the tire
Step 1. Loosen the lug nuts with a cross wrench (cross wrench) or impact wrench
It is important that you remember to loosen or break the nuts before jacking up the vehicle. That way, the weight of the vehicle will still remain on the wheels and prevent them from turning dangerously while you turn the lug nuts.
Step 2. Raise the car with a jack
Once you have loosened the lug nuts, you will need to jack up the car so that you can remove the tires. As mentioned above, you should do it on level concrete or another hard, flat surface. Here are some important things to remember when lifting the car:
- You will find the points where you should jack the vehicle up in the maintenance manual.
- The most common way to raise the vehicle is by using a floor jack or a forklift jack.
- Stabilize the car using jack stands. You can find a good tutorial on how to do this in the article on how to use a vehicle jack.
- If you have access to a hydraulic car lift, you will save time.
Step 3. Remove the lug nuts and remove the wheel from the hub
At that point, the nuts will be loose enough to remove by hand. If not, finish removing them with the crosshead wrench or impact wrench. Once you remove the lug nuts, remove the wheel from the wheelbase. If you are not comfortable removing the wheel, read about how to remove the nuts and wheels from your car.
Step 4. Remove any protruding objects with tweezers
Mark this spot with chalk or markers, as this will obviously be where the air leak will be found.
If you can't find a protruding object, follow the steps above to locate a leak and mark the spot
Step 5. Remove the valve stem base
Use a valve stem puller to remove the valve stem base. It is a special dual tool used to unscrew the valve stem base from the center of the stem and remove it. That way, the tire pressure will be released so you can break the bead off the tire.
Step 6. Break the bead of the tire between the rim and the rim
To remove the tire, use an iron bar to disassemble tires and a hammer to break the bead that seals the tire and rim. You must do this on both sides of the tire to completely remove it from the rim.
Step 7. Place one side of the tire in the groove of the rim
There is a groove on the rim that serves to hold one side of the tire so that you can remove the other side. Once you put one side of the tire in the groove, remove the other side of the tire from the rim using iron bars to disassemble tires. Then, place the bars around the tire until you have completely removed the first side of the tire from the rim.
Step 8. Remove the rim from the opposite side of the tire
Once you have completely removed one side of the tire from the rim, flip it over using the iron bars to also remove the opposite side of the rim. At that point, the tire will be completely separated from the rim.
Part 3 of 4: Patch the tire
Step 1. Use a pneumatic grinder to clean the hole
Choose a bit that fits the hole where the air leak is. This will scratch the sides and clean the area so that the patch will stick properly when you put it on.
Step 2. Replace the air grinder bit with an abrasive bit
Spray a “pre-polish” cleaner on the inside of the rim where you will place the patch. Use the abrasive bit to clean and scrape the area around the hole (about an inch or two in diameter around it). That way, the patch will have a clean surface on which it will adhere to the rim.
Step 3. Spray compressed air on the area
This will remove any debris or dirt that has formed during the polishing process. It is important that you have a clean surface on which the patch can adhere.
Step 4. Apply vulcanizing cement to polish the inner surface of the rim
This will prevent water from entering the hole and onto the tread. Let the cement sit until it is "sticky" to the touch.
Step 5. Remove the plastic from the sticky side of the tire patch
That side will come into contact with the inside of the tire.
Step 6. Push the pointed part of the patch through the hole
This pointed part should enter the hole from the inside of the tire and exit to the outside. Use tweezers to hold the pointed side of the patch. Next, pull that pointy part of the patch out of the tread. This will pull the sticky part of the patch slightly towards the inside of the rim.
Step 7. Roll a roller on the inside of the tire patch
This will remove any bubbles between the sticky side of the patch and the polished surface. That way, the patch will seal properly on the rim.
Step 8. Use a rubber patch sealant on the inside of the tire
You should cover the entire patch and a little of the rim. That way, you will make sure there is no leak!
Step 9. Let it dry
It will only take a couple of minutes. While you wait, use pliers (or scissors) and cut the axle of the patch so that it lines up with the top of the tread.
Part 4 of 4: Replace the tire
Step 1. Lubricate the deck bead
Twist the cover bead (the inner ring that seals with the hoop) and lubricate it with dishwashing liquid.
Step 2. Slide the tire back onto the rim
Use the iron bars to lift one side of the tire and slide it back into the rim. Once you've placed the first side, repeat the same procedure with the second.
Step 3. Install a new valve stem base
It is recommended that you replace the valve stem base with another rather than using the same one each time it is removed.
Step 4. Pressurize the tire
Inflate the tire until you have the correct pressure as specified in the tire sidewall or the owner's manual. This pressure will push the tire into the correct place on the rim and seal the tire bead.
Step 5. Replace the wheel
You should slide the wheel back onto the wheelbase and screw in the lug nuts just enough to hold the wheel in place while the car is still on the jack stands.
Step 6. Remove the jack stands
Use the floor jack to remove the supports and lower the vehicle to the ground.
Step 7. Tighten the nuts to the specified torque
While the weight is on the wheels again, tighten the lug nuts with a spanner or impact wrench to the torque specified in the vehicle's maintenance manual. Make sure to fit them into a star pattern.
Step 8. Drive the car
The repair will last as long as you can use the tire as long as you have successfully patched it.
Advice
If you have access to a tire changer, you will save a lot of time separating and attaching the rim to the rim
Warnings
- Don't try to patch holes in the sidewall of the rim.
- This procedure only applies to small holes. Don't try to patch long or irregular holes.